Asia

Vietnam in March

Arguably the single best all-country month: the north warms, the center shines, and the south has not yet hit peak heat.

BestPleasant nationwide, Hanoi highs near 73F (23C), south hot and dry

Limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam — VietnamPhoto: Fré Sonneveld fresonneveld, CC0

The straight answer

March is one of the best months of the year to visit Vietnam. Arguably the single best all-country month: the north warms, the center shines, and the south has not yet hit peak heat.

Weather: Pleasant nationwide, Hanoi highs near 73F (23C), south hot and dry
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What March is like in Vietnam

March may be the single best month to see all of Vietnam. Hanoi warms up to highs near 73F (23C), the center is sunny and dry, and the south is hot but not yet at its peak. Ha Long Bay has good odds of clear views. Crowds are moderate and prices are fair, with no big holiday disruptions.

This month suits nearly everyone, from first-timers doing the full north to south trip to families and couples. It is the easiest month to plan. The only catch is that Sapa can still be misty early in the month, so aim for later in March if trekking is a priority.

Make the most of March

What is especially good about Vietnam this month.

Ha Long Bay cruises

March is one of the clearest months for an overnight cruise among the karsts.

The Hai Van Pass drive

Clear weather makes the coastal drive between Hue and Hoi An spectacular.

Hue's Imperial City

Mild days are perfect for exploring the citadel and the royal tombs along the Perfume River.

What to pack for March

Light layers for Hanoi evenings
Breathable clothes for the south
A sun hat and sunscreen
Good walking shoes for the citadel and caves

Our timing tip

Book a mid-range or better Ha Long Bay cruise a few weeks ahead, since March is one of its busiest and clearest months.

Book Vietnam for March.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Vietnam
Opens a hotel search for Vietnam in March, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for March
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Vietnam
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Vietnam
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Vietnam for March. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in March

Hoi An Full Moon Lantern Festival

The 14th night of each lunar month, year round

The old town dims its electric lights and glows by lantern and candle. Beautiful and busy; book a riverside table early.

Things to do in Vietnam

Full guide

Ha Long Bay overnight cruise

Sleeping among the karsts beats any day trip. Book a mid-range or better boat; October, November, March, and April offer the clearest odds. Summer storms can cancel sailings.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Hoi An's Old Town

Lantern-lit streets, tailor shops, and riverside cafes. Best February through August; the monthly full-moon lantern nights are magical and busy.

Tickets and tours →

Hanoi's Old Quarter and street food

Thirty-six ancient trade streets of motorbikes, pho steam, and egg coffee. Take a guided street-food walk your first night and eat braver every day after.

Tickets and tours →

Sapa and the northern terraces

Trek village to village among some of the world's great rice terraces. Green in late summer, golden at the September harvest, cold and misty in winter.

Tickets and tours →

Hue's Imperial City

The Nguyen dynasty's citadel and royal tombs along the Perfume River. Pair it with the Hai Van Pass drive to or from Hoi An.

Tickets and tours →

Cu Chi Tunnels and Saigon's war history

The tunnel network and the War Remnants Museum are sobering, essential context. Mornings beat the afternoon tour-bus surge.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Run the country north to south or south to north in one direction; backtracking through hub airports wastes days and doubles your exposure to the busiest routes.
Book an overnight Ha Long cruise midweek and skip the one-day bus loops, which all arrive at the same caves at the same hour.
In Hoi An, do the old town at 7am and after 9pm; between those hours, rent a bike for the rice paddies and An Bang beach while the day-trippers hold the bridge.
Avoid intercity travel during Tet week and the April 30 holiday cluster unless booked long in advance; those are the nation's own travel peaks.

Know before you go

Tet (late January or February, shifting yearly): for several days museums, restaurants, and shops close and intercity transport is either sold out or empty. Cities are decorated and calm; just stock your plans accordingly.
Central Vietnam's typhoon and flood season (roughly September through November) periodically closes Hoi An's riverside streets, cancels boat trips, and delays flights. Late-fall central itineraries need flexibility.
Ha Long Bay cruise sailings are suspended by the port authority during storms, most often in summer and early fall; itineraries build in refunds or reroutes, but a buffer day protects your onward flight.
Sapa and the high north are cold December through February, with mist that can erase the views for days; trekking runs year round, but winter is for atmosphere, not panoramas.

Vietnam in March, quick answers

Is March a good time to visit Vietnam?

March is one of the best months of the year to visit Vietnam. Arguably the single best all-country month: the north warms, the center shines, and the south has not yet hit peak heat.

What is the weather like in Vietnam in March?

Pleasant nationwide, Hanoi highs near 73F (23C), south hot and dry.

Is Vietnam crowded in March?

Crowds in Vietnam are moderate in March; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.

What is happening in Vietnam in March?

Hoi An Full Moon Lantern Festival (the 14th night of each lunar month, year round).